Should I Stop Using My Microwave? What Can I Use Instead?

Microwaves are ubiquitous in the modern kitchen. They're a quick way to heat up leftovers, warm up coffee, or even cook dinner. I remember when we got our first microwave. I was about 5 years old, and my dad brought it home just after my brother was born. My mom said, "What am I going to do with that?" She used it every day from that point on. I think we had that same microwave until I went to college.

In the past few years I've heard some controversy over the safety of microwaves, from speculation that radiation might leak out and harm us to the allegation that the waves re-arrange molecules in the food, making it hard for the body to recognize (i.e. like radioactive particles). It seemed the jury was still out on this issue until I saw this article which showed there had been some conclusive evidence known for quite a little while now.

Since it is a fairly new technology (~ 70 years) that hasn't been in widespread use all that long, I tend to err on the side of caution and haven't used one in several years, similar to some entire countries. At this point I don't even have a microwave in my house, much to the shock and awe of house guests. It's a decision every person will have to make based on research, but if you do decide to ditch the microwave, here are a few tips to help with the transition:

Invest in a small toaster/convection oven, if you don't already have one. It heats things up almost as fast (a pizza slice is bubbling in 3 minutes flat) and you can also bake and roast in it. (They also look like microwaves, so you won't get so many sideways looks from friends when they come over).

Use VitaClay to re-heat dishes and grains. This works particularly well for rice: if you stir up your cooked rice in the clay pot, add just a couple of tablespoons of water or broth, and hit the "re-heat" button (rice menu), your rice will taste like you just made it! Also works for oats, quinoa, even pasta dishes.

Use your stove-top. Need to heat up some soup? Throw it in a saucepan and heat it up! It's also easy to steam things double-boiler style on the stove-top or in your VitaClay pot.

Use your oven. Or your toaster oven (see #1). If you made a plate of food but someone isn't home on time, pop it in the oven on "warm" and it'll be hot and ready when they are. Cover it with foil if it'll be awhile to keep it from drying out.

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